Dear Fellow Marylanders,

There are more than 3.6 million registered voters in Maryland. Every single one of those votes counts the same. Whether you live in Baltimore or Boonsboro, Aberdeen or Aspen Hill, or anywhere else in our great state, your vote matters. Really.

I’m guessing you have heard that line before. I’m telling you that it isn’t simply a cliché. It’s real life. In our system of government, it doesn’t matter how much money you have or what job you have or don’t have, you have an equal voice through your vote.

Are there individuals and groups dumping tons of money in Maryland and across the country trying to influence your vote – either by encouraging you or discouraging you to vote a certain way? Yes. Is there too much money being spent trying to influence your vote? Yes.

That said, your vote is still your vote, and no one should be able to stop you or any other eligible voter from casting their ballot in a secure and timely manner.

Elections have consequences that influence our daily lives. Politics may be the furthest thing from your mind every day of the year besides Election Day. But if you want to know that your food is not going to make you sick, your car is safe to drive, your children get a quality education and your neighborhood is protected from fire, flooding, or crime, you should understand the priorities of your local elected officials. You should know how their values align with your values.

I encourage you to do your homework. Research candidates and ballot questions. Be an informed voter who can distinguish reality from misinformation. Unfortunately, there is far too much misinformation out there, as well. Check out these federal and state websites in terms of rumor control both before, during, and after the election.

I say all this because it is time to vote!

In Maryland, we are voting for President and Vice President of the United States, U.S. Senator, U.S. House of Representatives, as well as other local offices and judges, which vary depending on where in the state you live. There also are state, county and local ballot questions. Again, do your research. Check out trusted sources, make a plan and vote the full ballot.

If you requested a mail-in ballot, you likely received it by now. If so, hopefully you already have sent it back in the mail or put it in an official drop box. If you would like to vote by mail but have not yet submitted a request, the deadline is Tuesday, October 29. The Maryland State Board of Elections makes it easy here: https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/onlinemailinrequest/InstructionsStep1  You also can track the status of the ballot you have cast here: https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/VoterSearch

If you want to vote in person, which I love to do every year, in-person early voting started Thursday and runs one week through Thursday, October 31. You can vote at any one of the early vote centers in the county in which you live. A list of early voting centers can be found here (PDF).

Of course, voting also will be available on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5 between 7am and 8pm. On Election Day, you will need to vote at your specific precinct. If you are not sure where to vote, you can look it up here: https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/PollingPlaceSearch

If you are new to Maryland, just turned 18-years-old, or for some other reason are not yet registered to vote in Maryland where you meet all the eligibility requirements, you can still register and vote in this election. The Maryland Board of Elections has all the details at this link: https://elections.maryland.gov/voter_registration/index.html.

You also can register to vote or update your voter registration (if you have recently moved) at an early voting center during the early vote period or go to your local precinct on Election Day. Bring a driver’s license or other document that proves where you live in Maryland. The Board of Elections will accept “your MVA-issued license, ID card, or change of address card, or your paycheck, bank statement, utility bill, or other government document with your name and new address.”

Now that you know how to vote, go do it. No excuses. This election is too important for the future of our country, and you. Exercise your right to vote. Don’t sit on the sidelines and let someone else make decisions for you.

Thank you for your time and for staying engaged in our community and elections. Please feel free to reply to this email with your thoughts on this issue or any other. I value your feedback.

In solidarity,

Ben Cardin